As per the census of Central Government employees conducted by the Directorate General of Employment & Training, Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2004, 9.68 per cent of Central Government employees were women. The percentage of women employees in Central Government at present, group-wise is not available.

No forecast of the number of women employees at the end of eleventh five-year plan is available. However, their number is expected to increase as a result of women friendly policies of the Government.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

In what could be the biggest ever salary hike for lowly-paid trial court judges, the Supreme Court-appointed National Judicial Pay Commission (NJPC) has proposed more than three-fold jump in their pay that translates to a monthly increase of Rs 20,000 at the entry level. Less than three months after being appointed head of the second NJPC, Justice E.Padmanabhan, a former judge of the Madras HC, submitted his report to the SC proposing an average 3.07-fold hike in the existing salaries that was recommended by the first NJPC in 1999.

The recommendations of the first NJPC headed by Justice Jagannatha Shetty had entitled civil judge (junior division) starting salary of Rs 11,775, civil judge (senior division) Rs 15,200, district judge (entry level) Rs 20,800 and district judge (super time scale) Rs 23,850. With the increase proposed by the second NJPC, the starting salary of a civil judge (junior division) is expected to be around

Rs 35,000, a hike of nearly Rs 24,000. As per Justice Padmanabhan’s recommendations, salary of civil judge (senior division) would be around Rs 45,000, which means a hike of around Rs 30,000. Similarly, the salary of district judge (entry level) would be around Rs 60,000 and that of DJ (super time scale) Rs 70,000. The logic given by Justice Padmanabhan, after extensive research and hearing of parties almost on a daily basis, was that the first NJPC had recommended salaries of the lower judiciary keeping in view the then salaries of HC judges which was fixed at Rs 26,000 and that of HC CJ at Rs 30,000, SC judges at Rs 30,000 and CJI at Rs 33,000.

However, with the CJI and SC and HC judges getting more than three-fold hike in their salaries,

the second NJPC thought of applying the same logic for trial court judges. The salary structure for the higher judiciary got changed with retrospective effect, as the government in January this year agreed to revise the salary of HC judges to Rs 80,000, HC Chief Justices Rs 90,000, SC judges Rs 90,000 and CJI Rs 1 lakh. The appointment of the second judicial pay commission had come through a judicial order of the apex court on April 30 in an application filed by the All India Judges Association.
Source: The Economics Times

There is no proposal to extend minimum pensionary benefits to the ex-servicemen who render less than 15 years of service.

The data with regard to number of ex-servicemen State-wise is given below:

Sl.No.

States

EX- SERVICEMEN

-

-

Army

Air Force

Navy

TOTAL

1.

Andhra Pradesh

58703

10522

4479

73704

2.

Arunachal Pradesh

284

0

0

284

3.

Assam

30219

2184

872

33275

4.

Bihar

64972

3075

1458

69505

5.

Chattisgarh

4209

272

156

4637

6.

Goa

1118

204

646

1968

7.

Gujarat

16615

3818

607

21040

8.

Haryana

215075

10432

8781

234288

9.

Himachal Pradesh

95905

1989

3163

101057

10.

Jammu Kashmir

65254

601

458

66313

11.

Jharkhand

17064

1084

843

18991

12.

Karnataka

53834

9167

2094

65095

13.

Kerala

123380

20185

11048

154613

14.

Madhya Pradesh

35630

1548

1057

38235

15.

Maharashtra

132381

11239

13362

156982

16.

Manipur

6225

74

33

6332

17.

Meghalaya

2072

78

54

2204

18.

Mizoram

4642

20

20

4682

19.

Nagaland

2560

8

17

2585

20.

Orissa

23629

4435

2085

30149

21.

Punjab

266238

9837

5103

281178

22.

Rajasthan

136664

6453

3554

146671

23.

Sikkim

1094

1

8

1103

24.

Tamil Nadu

105429

10886

3248

119563

25.

Tripura

2107

101

51

2259

26.

Uttarakhand

222314

19143

10533

251990

27.

Uttar Pradesh

111922

2028

2088

116038

28.

West Bengal

47657

9588

3512

60757

29.

A & N Islands UT

435

103

140

678

30.

Chandigarh UT

6047

2399

340

8786

31.

Delhi

28294

6214

2709

37217

32.

Puducherry UT

1272

327

89

1688

31.

TOTAL

1883244

148015

82608

2113867

Note: Figures for the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Manipur are provisional.

Various training and self-employment schemes for the welfare and resettlement of ex-servicemen are provided through the Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) and Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB). Details are as follows:

Ex-servicemen are given training to prepare them for civilian life. DGR is entrusted with the responsibility of preparing both ex-servicemen and retiring service personnel for a second career. Towards this end Officers and PBORs are given resettlement training at IIMs and various other institutes across the country.

The following self employment schemes are operated for the welfare of officers and PBORs Ex-servicemen:
Security Agencies; Allotment of surplus army vehicles; Coal Transportation scheme; Coal Tipper Scheme; Allotment of oil product agencies; Allotment of BPCL-GHAR outlets; Mother Diary Milk and Fruits and Vegetables shops; Management of CNG Station by ESM Officers in NCR; Management of Toll Plaza under NHAI; Kidzee brand chain franchise.
Financial assistance is provided for treatment of serious ailments, supply of modified scooters for ESM paraplegics, toolkits for ESM technician, financial assistance for needy ESM for house repair, daughter’s marriage, children education etc, Prime Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme, funds for maintenance of paraplegic rehabilitation centres, Cheshire home and St. Dustan aftercare organization and war memorial hostels.
Besides the above the following benefits are also available to Ex-servicemen:
Tuition Fee exemption for wards of war widows/war disabled ESM; Allotment of medical/BDS seats to wards of Defence Personnel; Reservation in State Government jobs and in professional colleges for wards of ESM/widows; Reservation in allotment of house sites/flats; Cash incentives for winners of gallantry awards; Ex-gratia grant to war widows; Legal assistance and exemption of court fee; Concession in fare for rail and air to recipients of gallantry awards, permanently disabled Officers and war widows; 10 to 24.5% reservation in Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts in Central and State Governments, PSUs, nationalized banks and paramilitary forces.
Along with the above benefits 100% medical coverage is provided to ESM pensioners through Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), who are members of the scheme.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri M.M. Pallam Raju in a written reply to Shri Kodikkunnil Suresh in Lok Sabha today.

F.No.45/57/97-P&PW(C) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare

New Delhi-110003 Dated the 19th December, 1997

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Implementation of Govement’s decision on the recommendations of the Fifth Central Pay Commission – Grant of fixed medical allowance @ Rs. 100/- p.m. to the Central Government pensioners residing in area not covered under CGHS.

The undersigned is directed to say that in pursuance of Government's decision on the recommendations of Fifth Central Pay Commission, announced in this Department’s resolution No.54/86/97-P&PW(A) dated 30.9.1997, sanction of the President is hereby accorded to the grant of fixed medical allowance @ Rs.100/- p.m. to Central Government pensioners / family pensioners residing in areas not covered by Central Government Health Scheme administered by the Ministry of Health & family Welfare and corresponding Health Schemes administered by other Ministries / Departments for their retired employees for meeting expenditure on day-to-day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization.

2.These orders shall apply to Central Government pensioners / family pensioners, who at the time of retirement / death were governed by CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 or other corresponding rules in operation prior to commencement of these rules and are eligible for medical facilities after retirement. Separate orders will be issued by the respective administrative authorities in respect of members of Armed Forces, All India Services and Railway Pensioners / family pensioners 3. Existing pensioners as well as the future retirees shall have to exercise one time option to avail of medical facilities under CGHS or other similar Health Scheme of their respective Ministry / Department or to claim fixed medical allowance of Rs.100/- p.m. In the case of future retirees, the option shall be obtained by the Head of Office along with other pension papers and in case the retiring employee opts for medical allowance, specific entry to this effect shall be made in both the halves of PPO. The CGHS or other medical authorities while issuing card to the pensioner shall check the position in this regard accordingly i.e. card is valid only for indoor / outdoor patient treatment, as the case may be.

4. In the case of existing pensioners if they opt for medical allowance, an undertaking shall be required to be submitted by ;claimants to the effect that they are entitled to medical facilities under CGHS or other similar Scheme administered by the Central Government but are residing in areas where no such outdoor facilities are available. On the basis of this undertaking, pension disbursing authorities shall make an entry in regard to grant of medical allowance in the both halves of PPO of ;the individual concerned and authorise payment of medical allowance. Such an under taking can be obtained by Bank, Departmental PAO and Treasury once every year alongwith other certificates, the pensioner is required to furnish. As and when grant of medical allowance to a pensioner / family pensioner is authorised by the pension disbursing authority, intimation to this effect sh 5. Ministry of Health & Family welfare / other concerned Ministries shall issue necessary instructions to all dispensaries providing medical facilities to pensioners / family pensioners to check the PPO of the pensioners and endorse the CGHS or other card accordingly.

6.The payment shall be made to the pensioner by the Pension disbursing authority along with pension / family pension on monthly basis.

7.The payment of medical allowance shall be counted for as a part of Sub-Head under ‘Pension and other Retirement Benefits and no separate Head shall be opened for the purpose.

8.These orders will take effect form 1.12.97

9.In so far as, retired / retiring employees of Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders issue in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Subject:Recognition of Heritage Hospital,Lanka,Varanasi(Uttar Pradesh)for treatment of Central Government employees under CS(MA) Rules,1944.

The undersigned is directed to say that a number of representations from various hospitals, Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committees were received in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for recognition of Private Hospitals at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) for treatment of Central Government Employees and their family members under CS(MA) Rules, 1944.
2. In view of the hardships faced by CS(MA) beneficiaries for their own treatment and the treatment of their family members at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), the matter has been examined in the Ministry and it has been decided to empanel the Heritage Hospital, Lanka, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) under Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944.

The undersigned is directed to say that a number of representations from various, hospitals, Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committees were received in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for recognition of Private Hospitals at Ahmednagar(Maharashtra) for treatment 0f Central Government Employees and their family members under CS(MA) Rules, 1944.
2. In view of the hardships faced by CS(MA) beneficiaries for their own treatment and the treatment of their family members at Ahmednagar(Maharashtra), the matter has been examined in the Ministry and it has been decided to empanel the Athare PatH Memorial Hospitals & Research Centre Pvt. Ltd. Ahmednagar - 414001 (Maharashtra) on adhoc basis for treatment of Central Government EmploYeesand their family Under central Services (Medical Attendence) Rules,1944 pepding their inspection by the agency to be nominated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Subject:Regulation of Journey by air while availing Leave Travel Concession - clarification regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Ministry of Finance,Department of Expenditure O.M.No. 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 13/7/2009 modifying the O.M. No. 7(2)/E.Coord/2005 dated 23rd November, 2005 and superseding of O.M.No. 19024/1/E.IV/2005 dated 24/3/2006. It has been decided by the Department of Expenditure that in all cases of air travel both domestic and international where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials concerned may travel only by air India. The matter whether these orders will apply in cases of LTC has been considered in consultation with Ministry of Finance, Department of expenditure and it is confirmed that these orders/conditions will apply in cases of LTC also.

2. This issues in consultation with Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) vide their ID No. 39/DS(EG)/2009 dated 20/7/2009.

The seniority of Government servants is determined in accordance with the general principles of seniority contained in MHA OM No. 9/11/55-RPS dated 22.12.59 (copy enclosed). One of the basic principles enunciated in the said OM is that seniority follows confirmation and consequently permanent officers in each grade shall rank senior to those who are officiating in that grade.

2. This principle has been coming under judicial scrutiny in a number of cases in the past; the last important Judgement being the one delivered by the Supreme Court on 2.5.90(JT—1990( 2) SC—26 4) in the case of Class II Direct Recruits Engineering Officers Association vs. State of Maharashtra. In para 47(A) of the said judgement the Supreme Court has held that once an incumbent is appointed to a post according to rule, his seniority has to be counted from the date of his appointment and not according to the data of his confirmation.

3. The general principle of seniority mentioned above has examined in the light of the judicial pronouncement referred to above and it has been decided that seniority may be deinked from confirmation as per the directive of the Supreme Court in para 47 (A) of its judgement dated 2.5.90. Accordingly in modification of the general principle 4 and proviso to general principle 5(i) contained in MHA (now DOPT) O.M. No.9/11/55-RPS dated 22.12.59 and para 2.3. of this Department O.M. dt. 3.7.86 (copy enclosed) it has ben decided that seniority of a person regularly appointed to a post according to rule would be determined by the order of merit indicated at the time of initial appointment and not according to the date of his confirmation.

4. These orders shall take effect from the date of issue of this Office Memorandum. Seniority already determined according to the existing principles on the date of issue of these orders will not be reopened even if in some cases seniority has already been challenged or is in dispute and it will continue to be determined on the basis of the principles already existing prior to the date of issue of these orders.

The announcement regarding the second instalment (60% arrears) of sixth Pay Commission for Central Government employees is expected on the Independence Day (15th August 2009) Speech by our Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh.

The undersigned is directed to refer to Department of Personnel and Training's O.M. No. 11013/10/97-Estt. (A) dated 13.02:1998 and 13.07.1999, O.M. No. 11013/11/2001-Estt. (A) dated 12.12.2002 and 04.08.2005 and O.M. No. 11013/312009-Estt. (A) dated 02.02.2009 on the abovementioned subject and to say that it is necessary to have in place at all times an effective Complaint Mechanism for dealing with cases of sexual harassment of working women and to create awareness in this regard, particularly amongst working women. The Salient features of the Complaint Mechanism and inquiry procedure are as follows”>

(i) Rule 3 C of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 provides that no Government servant shall indulge in any act of sexual harassment of any women at her work place. Every Government servant who is in charge of a work. Place shall take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment to any woman at such work place."Sexual harassment" includes such unwelcome sexually determined behaviour,whether directly or otherwise, as --

(ii) Whether or not such conduct constitutes an offence under law or a breach of the service rules, an appropriate complaint mechanism should be created in the employer’s organization for redress of the complaint made by the victim. Such complaint mechanism should ensure time bound treatment of complaints.

(iii) The complaint mechanism should be adequate to provide, where necessary, a Complaints Committee, a special councellor or other support service, including the maintenance of confidentiality.

The Complaints Committee should be headed by a woman and not less than half of its member should be women. Further to prevent the possibility of any undue pressure or influence from senior levels, such Complaints Committee should involve a third party, either NGO or other body who is familiar with the issue of sexual harassment.
The Complaints Committee must make an annual report to the Government department concerned of the complaints and action taken by them.

The employers and person in charge will also report on the compliance with the aforesaid guidelines including on the reports of the Complaints Committee to the Government department.

(iv). The Committee constituted for redressal of the complaints by the victims of sexual harassment shoulq be headed by an officer sufficiently higher in rank so as to lend credibility to the investigations.

(v) The Complaints Committee established in each Ministry or Department or Office for inquiring into complaints of sexual harassment shall be deemed to be the inquiring Authority appointed by the Disciplinary Authority and
that the Complaints Committee shall hold, if no separate procedure has not been prescribed for the Complaints Committee for holding the inquiry into such complaints, the inquiry, as far as practicable in accordance with the procedure laid down in the said rules. [In 2004 a provision was added to rule 14(2) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 (copy enclosed) to this effect].

(vi) The Complaints Committee in terms of Cabinet Secretariat's Order No.1 dated 26.09.2008 will inquire into complaints made against officers of the level of Secretary and 'Additional Secretary and equivalent level in the Government of India in the Ministries/Departments and Organisations directly under the control of the Central Government (other than the Central PSUs). The existing Complaints Committee established in each Ministry or Department or Office will, inquire into complaints of sexual harassment against only those Government servants who are not covered by the Cabinet Secretariat's Order NO.1 dated 26.09.2008.

(vii) It may be ensured that the Complaints Committee shall at all times be in existence and changes in its composition, whenever necessary,should be made promptly and adequately publicized. The composition of the Complaints Committee• be also posted on the websites of the concerned Ministries/Departments/Offices

Sub: Enhancement of Child Adoption Leave from 135 days to 180 days
and extension of the facility of Paternity Leave to adoptive fathers.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. No.13018/4/2004-Estt.(L) dated 31st March,
2006 regarding grant of Child Adoption Leave for 135 days to female Government servant on adoption of a
child upto the age of one year, on the lines of maternity leave admissible to natural mothers. After
implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendations, the period of maternity leave was
enhanced from 135 days to 180 days. Subsequently, this Department has received representations requesting
for enhancement of the period of Child Adoption Leave from 135 days to 180 days in line with the maternity leave.
The matter has been examined in this Department and it has been decided to enhance the period of Child Adoption
Leave from 135 days to 180 days.

2. A female Government servant in whose case the period of 135 days of Child Adoption Leave has not expired on the
date of issue of these orders shall also be eligible for Child Adoption Leave of 180 days.

3. It has also been decided that a male Government servant (including an apprentice) with less than two surviving
children, on valid adoption of a child below the age of one year, may be sanctioned Paternity Leave for a period
of 15 days within a period of six months from the date of valid adoption.

4. These orders shall take effect from the date of issue.

5. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are conceded, these orders issue in
consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

There is a quiet rate war raging among insurers that has brought down the cost of Rs 1 crore cover to Rs 15,000 from over Rs 50,000 per annum a decade ago. A big chunk of the reduction has happened in recent months. Without much publicity life insurance companies have drastically reduced premium rates on high-value term insurance policies of Rs 1cr and above.

As against a premium of over Rs 50,000 for a Rs 1 cr cover for a 30-year old woman charged by Life Insurance Corporation a decade ago, private life insurer Birla Sun Life are offering a similar cover for an annual premium of around Rs 15,000.

Other private life insurers, such as ICICI Prudential life and HDFC Standard Life, have also reduced their term insurance rates. The term rates for LIC policies, too, have come down drastically as compared to 10 years ago.

Today, one can avail of a LIC term policy with a sum assured of Rs 1cr for an annual premium of nearly Rs 25,700-32 ,000. But unlike LIC whose rates are available to most buyers, Birla Sun Life has stringent underwriting norms and the rates are available to only those in the best of health.

Term insurance is a cover where the only benefit is a payment if the insured dies during the term of the policy is the most basic form of life insurance. The cover is now almost a commodity with web-based aggregators offering quotes from all insurance for term protection.

ICICI Prudential Life appointed actuary Avijit Chatterjee said the decline can be attributed to better mortality experience in the recent past.

This is another factor, industry-watchers feel, that has worked in favour of the rich. Since such policyholders have access to quality healthcare and lead a relatively superior lifestyle, their life expectancy is high, and this translates into lower rates.

“Term insurance premium rates have started seeing a downward trend since the last three years. Over the last couple of years, they have dropped by nearly 30%," said Rahul Aggarwal, CEO, Optima Insurance Brokers. One of the reasons for this, he explained, is the increasing demand, mainly from the high net worth segment, which has inflated the volumes. "Increasing volumes are driving the rates down and lower rates, in turn, are stimulating the demand for term insurance," he added

"Over the last six months, some insurers have reduced the term insurance rates. The price reduction is limited mainly to high value policies targeted at the HNI segment, that is, people earning over Rs 1 lakh per month, who seek policies entailing a sum assured of more than Rs 25 lakh," said a senior executive with a private life insurance company.

HDFC Standard Life Insurance, for instance, has reduced the premium rates of its term plan by around 25% across different premium and age bands.
source: The Economic Times

In terms of the instructions contained in this office letter of even number dated 8.10.2008, both Leave on Average Pay
and LHAP are to be considered for encashment at the time of retirement, subject to the overall limit of 300 days

2. The matter regarding applicability or otherwise of the instructions dated 8.10.2008 referred to above in cases of
permanent absorption of railway employees in PSUs / Autonomous Bodies, has been examined in consultation with the
Department of Personnel & Training, the nodal Department of the Government in the matter, and it is clarified that
the instructions dated 8.10.2008 ibid are not applicable in the case of permanent absorption of railway employees
in PSUs/Autonomous Bodies. In other words, the existing provision of forfeiture of LHAP standing at the credit of
such railway servants on absorption in PSUs/Autonomous bodies shall continue to be in force.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has announced special allowances for paramilitary forces fighting the Maoist insurgency on par with the Army.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour on Wednesday, Chidambaram said the Home Ministry has sanctioned the risk-based allowances to the central forces and the matter is pending before the Finance Ministry.

He informed members that the special allowances for the paramilitary personnel have been worked out on the basis of the hardship and risk involved and also the stress factor in anti - Naxal operations.

The new allowance is higher and totally different from the allowance given to personnel deployed for operations in Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern region.he personnel till the rank of Commandant of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), an elite force of the central forces in Naxal-hit areas, would be covered by the risk allowances.

Chidambaram informed the House that the government is considering bringing the similarity in compensation amounts for Central Para Military Forces (CPMF) officials who die in action in line with officials of defence forces.

Chidambaram expressed concern over the lack of sanitation and other conveniences in deep forest camps of the central forces, and asked the states to address the issue.

Around 8000 doctors and senior officials of the Maharashtra Health services went on an indefinite agitation from today demanding implementation of 6th Pay Commission at par with Centre.

The doctors are also demanding non-practising allowances, filling up of as many as 2028 vacancies for health officers at various levels and promotion of the Dynamic Assured Progress Carrier Scheme (DAPCS).

The 'non-cooperation' strike will affect services in 2300 institutions including 1817 primary health care centres, 443 rural and cottage hospitals in Maharashtra. If the strike extends beyond July 22, it would also hamper the swine flu surveillance programme.

Doctors including senior health officers, deputy directors of the Health directorate all over the state are on mass leave and have stopped all non-emergency services including admission of patients, General Secretary of Federation of Health officers, Maharashtra Dr Ashok Kamble told reporters here.

"Although we have decided to keep the emergency services and post-mortem department on for today and tomorrow, we will meet tomorrow to decide on further course of action," he said.

It is not that the doctors are on non-cooperation movement from today but had been expressing their demands since the last three months regularly, Kamble said.
Source: Zee News

In supersession of the existing Rotation Transfer Policy of CSSS officers laid down in OM No. 13/2/2001-CS.II
dated 10.12.2002 & 08.08.2003 and OM No. 13/2/2006-CS.II dated 23.5.2006, the following shall be the revised
rotational transfer policy.

(1) The combined tenure of CSSS officers in a particular Ministry/Department shall be 5 years in the case
of Principal Staff Officers, Sr. Principal Private Secretary and Pricipal Private Secretary.

(2) The combined tenure of CSSS officers in a particular Ministry/Department shall be 7 years in the case
of Private Secretary, Personnel Assistant and Stenograpgher Grade”D”.

(3) On Promotion, an officer of the CSSS at any level shall be posted out of the Ministry/Department where
he is currently posted.

(4) If the CSSS officers has one year of service to retire, he will not come under the Rotational Transfer
Policy, and on Promotion, if any he / she will be adjusted within the same Ministry/Department, provided there
is a vacancy available in that grade.

(5) The tenure of officials of CSSS in the personal staff of the Union Council of Minister shall be five
years or till a Minister continues to hold the office, whichever is earlier.

(2) It is requested that the above decision may be given wide publicity and brought to the notice of all concerned.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reported that few instances of counterfeit currency being dispensed through ATMs has come to their notice.

To protect customers and depositors interest, various steps have been taken by Government/ RBI, which include, issue of directions/guidelines to banks as follows.

(i) To disburse only sorted and genuine notes over their counters and through ATMs.

(ii) Note Sorting Machines to be installed at all the currency chest maintaining branches and 210 non chest branches to enable banks to detect counterfeit notes at the entry level.

(iii) To establish Forged Note Verification Cells at the Head Offices of the Banks to take effective steps to deal with counterfeiting.

(iv) To impound the counterfeit notes and lodge FIR with Police Authorities.

Further, the Reserve Bank of India has also been conducting training programs for employees/ officers of banks and other organizations handling large amount of cash. RBI has also been popularizing the security features of the bank notes through its website, posters displayed at branches of the bank etc. A film depicting the security features of a genuine note has also been released in theatres besides being exhibited by Regional Offices of RBI at various exhibitions, bus stations/railway stations etc.

This information was given by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question raised in Rajya Sabha today.Source: PIB

Defence Minister A K Antony today clarified in the Lok Sabha that "one rank, one pension" recommendation of the Cabinet Secretary-led panel had been accepted by the government for jawans as well as officers.

The government has accepted recommendations of the panel on "one rank, one pension" and other related matters concerning the armed forces, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

The decision is now nearer to the goal of “one rank, one pension” demand of nearly 1.5 million personnel, Antony said during question hour.

The total financial implications on account of benefits to the personnel would be Rs 2,144 crore, the minister said.

The committee has recommended inclusion of Classification Allowance for the Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) from January 1, 2006, and removal of linkage of full pensions with 33 years from the same date, he said.

The committee also recommended revision of pension of Lt Generals after carrying out a separate pay scale for them, bringing parity between pension pre and post October 10, 1997, for PBOR pensioners and further improving PBOR pensions based on award of Group of Ministers in 2006.

With regard to the separate pay commission, the minister said it had been agreed, and as and when necessary it would be set up in the future.

Antony said the government had also accepted the committee's recommendations regarding raising the pension amount for those disabled or injured in war.

"After considering all aspects of the issue, the committee made several recommendations to substantially improve pensionary benefits of Personnel Below Officer Rank and Commissioned Officers, which have been accepted by the government," the minister added.

Sixty two T-72 Tanks are awaiting completion of overhaul at Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi. In the year 2009-10 it is proposed to overhaul a total number of 120 tanks at HVF, for which the remaining tanks would be sent by the Army.
This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri M.M. Pallam Raju in a written reply to Shri T.K. Rangarajan in Rajya Sabha today. Source: PIB

Senior citizens and retired personnel who have worked in Central Government bodies are assured of their health care needs through the Central Government Health Scheme (89 KB) (PDF file that opens in a new window) or CGHS. This scheme for pensioners provides medical assistance to retired central government officials along with their dependents, freedom fighters and widows of government officials. The CGHS Scheme also covers Delhi police personnel, retired judges of the Supreme Court, Parliament secretaries and their families.

Moreover, along with Ex-Governors and Ex-Vice Presidents of India, accredited journalists are also eligible to be covered under the Central Government’s Health Scheme. The Central Government Health Scheme initially started functioning in Delhi. After a few years, it spread to cities such as Allahabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Patna.

The Central Government Health Scheme offers health services through Allopathic and Homeopathic systems as well as through traditional Indian forms of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani, Yoga and Siddha. These medical facilities are provided through dispensaries and polyclinics. Chief medical officers and medical officers operate these dispensaries and are responsible for the smooth functioning of the scheme.

The main components of the scheme are dispensary services including domiciliary care, specialist consultation facilities, X-ray, Electro Cardiogram (ECG), laboratory testing, hospitalization, purchase and distribution of medicines and provision of health education. Here is a list of private hospitals and diagnostic centres (External website that opens in a new window) recognized under the Central Government Health Scheme.

The performance of the CGHS is regularly reviewed by the Government. The Committee of Secretaries has also been regularly reviewing the functioning of the CGHS since December, 2008, and has been giving directions to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for making it beneficiary friendly. Some of the recent initiatives are listed below:

(1)Extension of CGHS: CGHS today covers 24 cities, apart from Delhi. Dehradun, Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar and Jammu are the cities where CGHS was extended during the last four years. (2) Computerization: To keep pace with the modern times, a massive computerisation work has been taken up under CGHS in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre. Computerization of the CGHS will result in lesser waiting period for beneficiaries at the dispensaries; on-line placement of indents on local chemists; availability of patient profiles; availability of medicines / drugs usage pattern, which will enable the CGHS to prepare a realistic list of formulary drugs; reduction in use of paper; removal of jurisdictional restriction (as regards the dispensary) for the beneficiaries, etc.

(3) Introduction of Plastic Cards: As part of the computerisation process, it has been decided to issue plastic cards individually to each beneficiary of the CGHS. This will enable beneficiaries to avail CGHS facility in any city should they happen to be in that city either on official work or on leave. Inter-city treatment will be possible after all cities are computerised and networked.

(4) Accreditation of labs with National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) : With a view to providing better quality treatment to CGHS beneficiaries, it was decided that only those private hospitals and diagnostic centres would be empanelled under the CGHS, as have been cleared by the Quality Council of India after it carried out inspection of the facilities available at these hospitals and diagnostic centres. It has also been decided that all the laboratories on the panel of CGHS have to get certificate issued by the NABL under the Quality Council of India.

(5) Medical Audit of Hospital Bills is an important exercise to assess the quality of services offered and expenditure incurred. In order to be sure that the bills raised by private empanelled hospitals are genuine and that the beneficiaries were required to undergo only that treatment as was required and that the hospital has not forced the beneficiary to undergo unnecessary tests / treatment at the hospital. The job of medical audit of Hospital bills has been outsourced to TPAs.

(6) Holding of Claims Adalats: Complaints were received in the CGHS and in the Ministry that old cases of reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by pensioners were pending for settlement for long time. It was decided that claims adalats be held in each Zonal office of CGHS, Delhi, under the chairmanship of the Additional Directors of the respective zones. Claims adalats were held annually, in each zone (East, Central, South and North Zones) in Delhi, during 2007 and 2008 and over 95% of the claims were settled in those adalats.

(7) Local Advisory Committees: Local Advisory Committee meetings are held in each CGHS dispensary on second Saturday of the month, which is attended by Area Welfare Officer appointed by the Chief Welfare Officer, Department of Personnel & Training, representatives from pensioners’ association, local chemist to resolve problems at dispensary level.

(8) Decentralisation and delegation of powers: Ministries / Departments have been delegated powers to handle all cases of reimbursement claims if no relaxation of rules was involved. Earlier they had powers to handle requests upto Rupees two lakhs and beyond that amount, the cases were referred to CGHS.

(9) Insulin: Orders have been issued to permit issue of Analogue (Insulin Vial/Cartridge) to CGHS beneficiaries and the extra cost would be borne by the CGHS. The beneficiaries would have to purchase the pen for utilization the analogue insulin.

(10) Outsourcing of cleaning process of dispensaries: As there were shortage of Class IV Staff in a large number of dispensaries in Delhi, it was decided to relocate Class IV staff from a few deficient dispensaries to other deficient dispensaries. To overcome the vacuum so created in some dispensaries, it was decided to outsource cleaning work for mechanised cleaning. The agency has been handling this work for the last five months, and the work done by them has been appreciated by all.

(11) Rate contract for purchase of drugs: It has been decided to run a pilot project under which dispensaries in Delhi will be permitted to place indents directly on the manufacturers on rate contract basis. If the proposal proves to be a success, then it may be extended to cover the entire CGHS. The benefit of this arrangement is that dispensaries / CGHS do not have to carry huge inventory of medicines and indents can be placed on a monthly basis depending on the need.

The Sixth Central Pay Commission recommended the introduction of health insurance scheme for Central Government employees and pensioners. It had recommended that for existing employees and pensioners, the scheme should be available on the voluntary basis, subject to their paying prescribed contribution. It has also recommended that the health insurance scheme should be compulsory for new Government employees who would be joining service after the introduction of the scheme. Similarly, it had recommended that new retirees, after the introduction of the insurance would be covered under the scheme.

An expression of interest has been floated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare inviting suggestions from insurance companies providing health insurance and health consultants on the structure, feasibility and viability of such a scheme.

This information was given by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
Source:PIB

Sub:Implementation of Government's decision on the recommendations of the Sixth
Central Pay Commission - Revision of pension of pre-2006 pensioners.

The undersigned is directed to say that in accordance with para 4.2 of this Department's O.M.No.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 1.9.2008 (as clarified vide OM dated 3.10.2008 and 14.10.2008), the revised pension of pre-2006 pensioners shall, in no case, be lower than fifty percent of the minimum of the pay in the pay band plus the grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which the pensioner had retired. In the case of HAG+ and above scales, this will be fifty percent of the minimum of the revised pay scale. Clarifications have been sought by Ministries/Departments as to whether Non Practicing Allowance (NPA) is to be added to the minimum of the revised pay band plus the grade pay / revised pay scale while considering stepping up consolidated pension on 1.1.2006. The matter has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure).

2.On implementation of the recommendations of Fifth Central Pay Commission, NPA was not added to the minimum of the revised scale of pay as on 1.1.1996 in cases where consolidated pension / family pension was to be stepped up to 50% / 30% respectively. Hon'ble Supreme Court, in its judgement dated 10.10.2006 in Transfer Cases (civil) 72 of 2004 - Col. (Retd.) B.J.Akkara vs. UOI & others, upheld the validity of OM dated 11.9.2001 of Ministry of Defence not allowing the benefit of NPA in the case of retired medical officers of Armed Forces to be added to the minimum of revised scale as on 1.1.1996.

3. NPA granted to medical officers does not form part of the Pay Bands / scales of pay. It is a separate element, although it is taken into account for the purpose of computation of pension. It is, therefore, clarified, that in the case of pre-2006 pensioners NPA is not to be added to the minimum of the revised pay band+Grade pay/revised pay scale in cases where consolidated pension/family pension as on 1.1.2006 is to be stepped up to 50% / 30% respectively, in terms of para 4.2 of Department' of pension & PW's O.M.No.38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 1.9.2008 (as clarified vide OM dated 3.10.2008 and 14.10.2008).

4. It is impressed upon all the Ministries/Departments of the Government of Inida to keep in view the above clarifications while disposing of the cases of revision of pension/family pension. They are also advised to dispose the representations received by them from pensioners on the above issues whithout referring them to this Department.

5. This issues with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) vide their U.O.No.264/EV/2009 dated 9.7.2009.

In partial modification of this Ministry’s OM No. F. No. 7(2)/E.Coord/2005 dated 23rd November, 2005 and in supersession of this Ministry’s OM No. 19024/1/E.IV/2005 dated 24.3.2006, it has been decided that in all cases of air travel, both domestic and international, where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials concerned may travel only by Air India.

2. For travel to stations not connected by Air India, the officials may travel by Air India to the hub/point closest to their eventual destination, beyond which they may utilize the services of another airline which should also preferably be an alliance partner of Air India.

3. In all cases of deviation from these orders because of operational or other reasons or on account of non-availability, individual cases may be referred to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for relaxation.

4. All Ministries / Departments of the Government of India are requested to strictly adhere to these instructions.

5. These orders will also apply to officials in autonomous bodies funded by Government of India.

SUBJECT: Grant of Variable Increment to high performers in the Pay Band 3- recommendation of the 6th Cpc

The Sixth Central Pay Commission in Para 2.2.12 of its report, has recommended grant of higher rate of increment to not more than 20% of Group A officers in the Pay Band-3. As per the recommendations,for Group A officers in PB 3,annual increments in the band will vary depending upon the performance of the officer. The recommendations of the Pay Commission were considered and accepted with modification to the extent that Variable Increment may be granted @4% instead of 3.5% recommended by the Commission to not more than 20% High Performers in PB 3.

2. All Ministries/Departments are requested to give their suggestions, before the guidelines for grant of Variable Increment are formulated & finalised by this Department. The suggestions should reach the undersigned within a month of the issue of this Office Memorandum failing which it will be presumed that the concerned Ministry/Department has no suggestion to make and this Department will proceed with the process of framing of guidelines in the matter.

Sub: Payment of Dearness Relief to re-employed pensioners and employed family pensioners.

The undersigned is directed to say that the grant of DR to re-employed pensioners and employed family pensionersis presently regulated in accordance with the instructions contained in this Department's OM No.45/73/97 P&PW(G) dated 2.7.1999. Consequent upon the revision in ignorable amount of pension from Rs.1500/- to Rs.4000/- in terms of DOPT OM no. 3/13/2008-Esst,(PAY-I) dated 11.11.2008, the amount of Rs.1500/- appeared in OM dated 2.7.1999 is revised as Rs.4000/-. The other conditions for grant of DR to re-employed pensioners and employed family pensioners remain the same: :

2. In so far as persons serving in the Indian Audit Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are being issued after consultation with the CAG of India.

3. This issues with the concurrence of Misnistry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their UO No. 132/EV/2009-Esst.(Pay II) dated 21.4.2009 and DOP&T vide their UO No.3/16/2009-Esst.(Pay II) dated 23.6.2009.

Indian Railways has over 1.7 lakh vacancies which will be filled after the current recruitment process is reviewed, railway minister Mamata Banerjee informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Replying to questions, she said the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is being reviewed. "We have to examine(the recruitment process) and address lacunae. We will come back once we have done the review."

She said there were issues of regional aspirations and problems in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Guwahati over RRB exams. "We are reviewing the entire process."

Of the total sanctioned strength of 15,66,964 employees, there were 1,72,444 vacancies, she said. Most of the vacancies were in Group 'C' at 1,12,566, followed by Group 'D' at 58,329. There are 1,549 vacancies in A and B, she said.

"Any large organisation like the Railways will have certain vacancies at any point of time. Arising of and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process," she said. "Vacancies arise due to normal retirement, voluntary retirements, deaths, promotions or creation of posts. Vacancies are filled primarily through
open market recruitment and promotions."

To a separate question, she said there was a backlog of 1,814 vacancies of SCs in Group 'C' service of the Railways and 1,688 for STs. There is no backlog of vacancies of SC and ST in recruitment for Group A and B.

Income Tax Exemption limit subsequent union budget-2009 for individual tax payers was increased by Rs.10,000 for Male below 65years, women and Rs.15,000 for Senior Citizens(i.e.65 years and above) by the finance minister.
Finance Minister removed the surcharge on Income above Rs.10 Lakh(Rs.1 millon) for Personal Income Tax payers.

The new Income Tax slab for A.Y.2010-11, F.Y.2009-10 will stand as follows.

The battle was fought over a decade during which hundreds of war medals had been surrendered and many courted arrests but the struggle of the former jawans of the Indian defence services ended only today with a victory.

Pranab Mukherjee, the country’s finance minister finally announced the government’s decision to accept the one-rank-one-pension system for retired personnel. This essentially means that all jawans of a particular rank will get the same pension irrespective of their year of retirement.

Jawans who retired after 1997 — just after the Fifth Pay Commission in 1995 — had been getting more pension than their counterparts who retired before the cut-odd year of 1997. The Sixth pay Commission only widened the gap.

Mukherjee, during his budget speech today, said: “Our country owes a deep debt of gratitude to our valiant ex-servicemen. The committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary on OROP (one rank one pension) has submitted its report and the recommendations of the committee have been accepted”.

The minister also spelt out the details of the OROP during his speech: “On the basis of these recommendations, the government has decided to substantially improve the pension of pre-1.1.2006 defence pensioners below officer rank (PBOR) and bring pre 10.10.1997 pensioners on par with post 10.10.1997 pensioners.

“Both these decisions will be implemented from 1st July 2009 resulting in enhanced pension for more than 12 lakh jawans and JCOs.”

For people, like Col (retd) K. Tshering, the president of the Indian Ex-Services League (Darjeeling branch), the announcement is momentous.

“We have been agitating for so long. In February, we went to the Jantar Mantar and staged a dharna there. More than 3,600 ex-servicemen surrendered their war medals to the President of India to demand implementation of this OROP system.

“Lt General (retd) Raj Kadyan, who has been leading the movement, had also courted arrest. Ultimately, our movement has borne fruit,” Tshering told The Telegraph over the phone from Cooch Behar.

“There was a huge gap,” he said.

According to Tshering, havildars who had retired before 1997 were getting a monthly pension of about Rs 3,700 while a jawan of the same rank is now entitled to Rs 7.600 as his monthly annuity benefit.

In fact, the decision to implement the OROP scheme will benefit around 40,000 retired jawans in the hills.

Before the Lok Sabha elections this year, the BJP, had in its manifesto promised to implement the OROP if voted to power. The UPA manifesto, was however, silent on the ex-serviceman’s demand.

Tshering said the Indian Ex-servicemen Movement for the welfare of retired soldiers has been fighting for five demands. “One of the most important one has now been fulfilled.”

The other four demands are:

1.Employment in the army till the age of 60 (jawans now retire at 33 years)

2.Setting up of a separate Army Pay Commission

3.An Army Welfare Commission on the lines of the Minority Commission

4.Annual Leave Travel Concession to continue after retirement like the Indian Railways does for its employees

Sub: Concerted effort to increase representation of women in Central Government Jobs.

*******

The undersigned is directed to say that the President's address to the joint Session of Parliament inter-alia,. made the following commitment:

" Concerted effort to increase representation of women in Central Government Jobs "

2. As a part of the Action Plan of this Department approved by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions for implementing the above commitment, this Department has already issued instructions vide a.M.No.3502112/2009-Estt(C) dated 30 th June,2009 making it mandatory to have one woman member in the Selection
Boards/Committees for making recruitment to 10 or more vacancies and where lady candidates are expected to be available for the service/post. under the Central Government Even where the vacancies are less than 10, no effort should be spared in including a lady officer in such CommitteeslBoards.

3. In order to ensure that adequate lady candidates are attracted to Central Government jobs and to encourage them to apply for vacancies in the Central Government, it has now been decided that all advertisements/circulars for recruitment to Central Government jobs should invariably mention prominently that "Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply."

4. Accordingly all MinistrieslDeptts.lRecruiting agencies are requested to ensure that all vacancies advertisements/circulars for posts in Central Government contain the above message prominently. Every effort may also be made to give wide publicity to the extent feasible about all women friendly policies and concessions/facilities available to women empolyees in the Central Government,while making recruitment to posts in the Central
Government.

The government today gave a booster dose to to its recently introduced pension system for all citizens to make it more acceptable.

The new pension system introduced this May has received only a lukewarm response so far. In the Budget tabled in Parliament, the government said pension trusts would not have to pay the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) if they invested in the securities markets.

It also said the interim pension regulator would get Rs 8 crore to run an advertising campaign to familiarise people about the scheme.The Budget said that self-employed persons subscribing to the NPS would be subjected to tax only at the time of withdrawal.Other subscribers are already under this kind of tax treatment.
The Budget also proposed to exempt the income of the pension trust from income tax and also the donor of dividend to the trust from the dividend distribution tax.
All purchase and sale of equity shares and derivatives by the NPS trust will be exempted from the securities transaction tax, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in his Budget speech.

From May 1 this year, the interim pension regulator, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) extended the NPS to all citizens. But the new scheme did not attract a good response. It has collected just Rs 80 lakh in the first two months of its launch.

Commenting on the measures taken by the government, a senior PFRDA official said, "We are happy with the incentives given to the NPS, but we would have liked it to be more." The official said the PFRDA had sought tax exemption under the exempt-exempt-exempt model, which means the subscriber would not be taxed even at the time of withdrawing money.

The PFRDA had earlier asked the government to bear the cost of maintaining accounts of policy holders under the NPS.However, nothing has been done in this direction, the official said.Under the present structure, a subscriber has to pay at least Rs 470, as initial charges in the first year and Rs 350 annually to the National Securities Depository (NSDL).
Source: PTI

(2) All other words and expressions used in these regulations but not defined shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the All India
Services (Leave) Rules, 1955.

3. Conditions for the grant of special Disability Leave and the amount of such leave:
(i) Special disability leave may be granted to a member of the Service who suffers [a disability] as a result of risk of office or special risk of office.

(ii) Such leave shall not be granted unless the disability manifested itself within three months of the occurrence to which it is attributed and the
member of the Service [who suffers the disability] acted with due promptitude in bringing it to notice of the Government. The Government may, however, if satisfied as to the cause of disability, permit such leave being granted in cases where the disability manifested itself more than three months after the occurrence of its cause.

Explanation:
(i) ‘Risk of office’ means any risk not being special risk, of accident or disease to which a member of the Service is exposed in the course of and as a consequence of his duties, but nothing shall be deemed to be risk of office which is a risk common to human existence in modern conditions in India, unless such risk is
definitely enhanced in kind or degree by the nature, conditions, obligations or incidents of Government service and includes any risk of injury, illness, disease or accident(whether caused or occasioned by riots, civil disorders or commotions and other extraordinary circumstances) arising out of and in the course of discharge of his duties by a member of the Service on a working day or a holiday. A member of the Service who is proceeding to or returning from any place to which he has to go in the course of his duties or in order to discharge his duties shall be deemed to be acting in the discharge of his duties.

(ii) ‘Special risk of Office’ means:
(a) risk of suffering injury by the act of a person who inflicts an injury on member of the Service:
1 Published vide Notification No. 6/1/55-III dated 15.07.1957.
2 Substituted vide MHA Notification No.13/54/57-AIS(III) dated 13.05.1958

(i) by assaulting or resisting him in the discharge of his duties, or in order to deter or prevent him from performing his duties or

(ii) because of anything done or attempted to be done by such member of the Service in the lawful discharge of his duty as such, or

(iii) because of his official position;

(b) a risk of injury by accident to which a member of the Service is exposed in the course of or as a consequence of, the performance of any particular duty which has the effect of materially increasing his liability to such injury beyond the normal risk of his office: and

(c) a risk of contracting disease in the performance of any particular duty which has the effect of increasing his liability to illness beyond the ordinary risk
attaching to the civil post which he holds.

(2) The period of leave granted shall be such as may be certified by a medical board to be necessary and shall not be extended except on a certificate from a medical board.

(3) Where a member of the Service suffers a disability by an injury accidentally incurred in or in consequence of his official position or by illness incurred in the
performance of any particular duty which has the effect of increasing his liability to illness or injury beyond the ordinary risk attaching to the post which he holds, the grant of special disability leave is subject to the further conditions that :—
(i) the disability if due to a disease must be certified by a medical board to be directly due to the performance of the particular duty; and

(ii) the disability contracted during service otherwise than with the Armed Forces must, in the opinion of Government,be so exceptional in character or in the circumstances of its occurrence as to justify such unusual treatment as the grant of this form of leave;

(iii) a period of absence recommended by a medical board may be covered in part by special disability leave and in part by other leave and that a period of special disability leave granted on full pay may be less than 120 days.

our country owes a deep debt of gratitude to our valiant ex-Servicemen.
The Government has decided to substantially improve the pension of pre 1.1.2006
defence pensioners below officer rank (PBOR) and bring pre 10.10.1997 pensioners
on par with post 10.10.1997 pensioners.

The Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary on OROP has submitted its report
and the recommendations of the Committee have been accepted. On the basis of these
recommendations, both these decisions will be implemented from 1st July 2009 resulting in enhanced pension for more than 12 lakh jawans and JCOs.

These measures will cost the exchequer more than Rs 2,100 crore annually. Certain pension benefits being extended to war wounded and other disabled pensioners are also being liberalised.
Source:The Economic Times

Planning your travel just got easier as railway tickets will now be available at mobile vans and post offices in both rural and urban areas across the country.

Launching the ‘Mushkil Asan’ scheme as part of the Railway Budget, Union Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the mobile ticketing vans would issue reserved and unreserved tickets in both urban and rural areas.

"Poor people who are unable to go to the stations can now purchase tickets in market places, mohallas and other busy places. In this year, we will introduce 50 such mobile vans," she said.

Under an MoU between Railways and Department of Posts, passengers can now buy computerised tickets from nearly 5,000 post offices in cities and towns.
Banerjee said the Indian Railways Passengers Reservation System will now cover 200 new towns and cities.

She invited each member of both Houses of Parliament to identify one PRS location of their choice.
Source: Express India

No.E(P&A)I-2005/ALL/RPF/2
The General Managers,
All Indian Railways and Production Units
DG & Ex. Officio GM/RDSO.

Sub: Revision in the rate of Ration Money Allowance in respect of Non-Gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel.

In terms of Board's letter of even number dated 23.09.2008, non-gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel upto the rank of Inspector Grade-I, scale Rs.6500 - 10500 were entitled for Ration Money Allowance at par with Central Para Military Force(CPMF) personnel i.e. @ Rs.861/- per head per month w.e.f. 01.04.2008 to 31.03.2009.

2. Pursuant to recommendation of VI CPC the Government have allowed the payment of Ration Money Allowance to CPMF personnel on par with that available to Defence Forces. In view of this it has been decided that the rate of Ration Money Allowance in respect of non-gazetted RPF/RPSF personnel upto the rank of Inspector Grade-I scale Rs.6500-10500 may be revised from Rs.861 p.m. to Rs.36.91 per day head w.e.f.01.09.2008 to 31.03.2009 in line with the rate laid down by the Ministry of Home Affairs for non-gazetted combatised CPMF personnel.

3. Accordingly, sanction of the Ministry of Railways is hereby accorded postfacto to revise the rate of Ration Money Allowance from Rs.861 p.m. to Rs.36.91 per day per head w.e.f.01.09.2008 to 31.03.2009.

4. Ration Money Allowance is not exempted from the purview of Income Tax and hence this Allowance is to be treated as income for the purpose of computation and Income Tax deducted at source. The other terms and conditions as stipulated in para 3(a) & (b) of Board's letter No.E(P&A)I-98/ALL/RPF/1 dated 01.04.1998 shall remain unchanged.

5. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

Sub: Representation of Women Members on the various Committees/Boards concerned with selection to Group C&D posts in Central Government.

The undersigned in directed to refer to this Department's O.M.No.35021/1/85-Estt(c) dated 8 th November,1985 (Copy enclosed) on the subject mentioned above and to say that the matter has been further considered and reviewed by this Department and it has been decided that all appointing authorities may be instructed to scrupulously observe the following guidelines:-

(i)The composition of selection Committees should be representative. It should be mandatory to have one woman member in the Selection Boards/Committees for making recruitment to ten(10)or more vacancies and lady candidates are expected to be available for the service / Post.

(ii) Where the number of vacancies against which selection is to be made is less than 10, no efforts should be spared in, finding a lady officer for inclusion in such Committees / Boards.

(iii) In the event of such an officer not being available in the Ministry /
Department itself, there is no objection to nominating lady officer from any other office at the same station.

(iv) Wide Publicity should be given to all appointments in Government,
Advertisements should be issued in the language (s) spoken by large number of people of the State/UTS, apart from English and Hindi. Further,for Group'C: level Posts, having only basic qualifying requirements, information about vacancies for recruitment should also be disseminated through schools and colleges in that area, in addition to normal channels.

Recent Stories...

Your browser does not support JavaScript!

Disclaimer

90Paisa - Dedicated to Central Government Employees and Pensioners.
As and when orders amending the rules are published by the Government, the amendment orders will be published in our blog immediately. Readers are requested to refer to the source link is given at the end of the post.
All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of the content on this blog, the same should not be construed as a statement of law or used for any legal purposes. 90paisa accepts no responsibility in relation to the accuracy, completeness, usefulness or otherwise, of the contents. Users are advised to verify/check any information with the relevant department(s) and/or other source(s), and to obtain any appropriate professional advice before acting on the information provided in the blog.
Links to other websites that have been included on this blog are provided for public convenience only.
90paisa is not responsible for the contents or reliability of linked websites and does not necessarily endorse the view expressed within them. We cannot guarantee the availability of such linked pages at all times.
-----------------------------------
10 crore viewers…90 Paisa Blog touches new heights
Making a Mark Achieved 100 Million Page Views - "Central Government Employees News" Blog
We are proud of our latest accomplishment – 90Paisa Blog, the first ever blog for Central Government employees, has now crossed 10 crore hits!!!
From the bottom of our hearts, we express our sincere gratitude to all our patrons who have been supporting us all along.